Summer is when life slows down—at least for most. As temperatures rise and storms roll in, many retreat to air-conditioned living rooms to catch up on movies and TV shows. With popular series on hiatus, it’s the perfect time to binge something from start to finish, with no cliffhangers or mid-season waits. Below is a list of some of the top 4 complete horror series, with every episode currently available to stream.
4. EVIL
Probably my favorite supernatural TV series (besides Supernatural), EVIL balances the serious with the surreal, exploring themes of good vs. evil, morality, the complexities of family—both biological and chosen—and the depths of the human psyche. With the brilliant minds behind The Good Wife and The Good Fight steering the story, Evil hits far more than it misses. Watching the same core characters evolve over four seasons makes the show’s grand, often cosmic subject matter feel strikingly personal.
The story centers on a mismatched trio of professionals: forensic psychologist and lapsed Catholic Kristen Bouchard (Katja Herbers), priest-in-training David Acosta (Mike Colter), and skeptical tech expert Ben Shakir (Aasif Mandvi). Hired by the Catholic Church to investigate reports of supernatural activity, they work together to validate—or debunk—claims of miracles, possessions, and other religious phenomena. Each episode often presents a standalone mystery, but the show’s real magic lies in how the trio’s strengths and differences allow them to confront a much larger, looming evil—embodied by Michael Emerson’s deliciously sinister performance as Leland Townsend, a villain who ties the entire narrative together over four intense, mind-bending seasons.
The writers fully embrace the tongue-in-cheek nature of the narrative as the series progresses. One standout example is a female executive whose office features a literal glass ceiling, while the male executives walk above her on the floor above. In the final season, even the opening credits become part of the fun, warning viewers not to skip them or risk a terrible fate. As the show hurtles toward a questionable “happily ever after,” it never loses its clever blend of satire and suspense.
Streaming on Paramount+ and Netflix, this horror-meets-humor series checks all the boxes—and left this aficionado craving more seasons.
3. Bates Motel
A prequel to Hitchcock’s genre-defining classic Psycho—the film that famously made a generation of women trade showers for baths—Bates Motel offers a contemporary reimagining of Norman Bates’ descent into madness. Freddie Highmore sheds his child-star image (Finding Neverland, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory) to deliver a chilling performance as teenage Norman, whose unraveling mental state is deeply entwined with his twisted, co-dependent relationship with his mother, Norma, portrayed with unsettling nuance by Vera Farmiga.
Where many series falter over time, Bates Motel only grew stronger, culminating in a powerful fifth and final season that transitions from prequel into the territory of Hitchcock’s original narrative. The setting—White Pine Bay—is richly realized as a small town resisting modern expansion, hiding its own share of secrets just beneath the surface. While not every subplot hits the mark, the supporting cast and layered storytelling deepen the show's central tragedy.
At its heart, Bates Motel is a smart, stylish, and deeply unsettling addition to the horror TV canon—not to be underestimated. Currently streaming on Prime Video
2. Penny Dreadful
Originally, “penny dreadfuls” were cheap, sensational fiction publications sold for a penny in Victorian England—often featuring crime and horror stories. That legacy is the foundation for Penny Dreadful's first season, which unfolds in the same gothic era. The story centers on the search for Mina Harker (of Dracula fame), who has gone missing under mysterious circumstances. Her father, Sir Malcolm Murray (Timothy Dalton), assembles a team of unlikely allies: the enigmatic medium Vanessa Ives (Eva Green), American sharpshooter Ethan Chandler (Josh Hartnett), and scientist Victor Frankenstein (Harry Treadaway). Together, they confront a dark world of vampires and supernatural forces in their quest to rescue Mina.
Inspired by the great works of gothic literature—Frankenstein, Dracula, and The Picture of Dorian Gray—Penny Dreadful weaves together nearly every classic horror trope, from demonic possession and witches to vampires, all framed with mythological overtones that lend each storyline added weight. Despite its literary roots and elevated dialogue, the series doesn’t shy away from graphic violence and body horror across its three seasons.
In true Victorian fashion, the show is steeped in allegory, tackling themes like fear of the unknown, societal repression, class disparity, the dangers of unchecked scientific ambition, and the duality of human nature—all explored through the lens of monstrosity. While the series finale has been criticized for feeling rushed and abrupt, critics and audiences alike praise Penny Dreadful for its lush cinematography and stellar performances, especially Eva Green’s haunting turn as Vanessa Ives.
Currently streaming on Paramount+, what better way to ride out a stormy day than by descending into the dark, decadent underbelly of Victorian England?
1. The Haunting of Hill House and Beyond: The Chilling World of Mike Flanagan's Horror Masterpieces
Mike Flanagan came out swinging in 2018 with his first Netflix limited series, The Haunting of Hill House. Based loosely on Shirley Jackson’s 1959 gothic horror novel—widely regarded as one of the best of its time—the story had been adapted before, most notably into the 1963 film The Haunting (and its 1999 remake). However, Flanagan’s series took significant creative liberties, retaining little more than the name and the ominous setting.
Flanagan’s Hill House blends family drama with supernatural horror, as the Crain family is haunted—both literally and figuratively—by their time living in a foreboding mansion. The trauma of their childhood encounters resurfaces in adulthood, brought on by a shared tragedy that forces them to confront the ghosts of their past. The show weaves themes of grief, guilt, and memory with expertly placed jump scares and dozens of hidden ghosts (can you find them?) lurking in the background, intensifying the viewer’s unease.
Though some viewers took issue with Flanagan’s now-signature lengthy monologues, the consensus among critics and audiences alike is clear: The Haunting of Hill House is one of the greatest horror series ever made.
2021’s Midnight Mass, steeped in religious overtones and anchored by standout performances from Zach Gilford and Hamish Linklater, has developed an almost cult-like following. While The Haunting of Bly Manor is often viewed as a step down from Hill House, this Turn of the Screw adaptation is a very different kind of story—more melancholic than terrifying—and deserves to be judged on its own merits.
The Midnight Club, based on a Christopher Pike story, is widely considered the weakest of Flanagan’s series, but its focus on teenage protagonists may resonate more with younger audiences. His latest entry, The Fall of the House of Usher, is a stylish, blood-soaked homage to Edgar Allan Poe, with each episode weaving in elements from a different Poe story. It marks a return to the rich family dynamics where Flanagan’s storytelling truly thrives.
All five of Flanagan’s limited series are available on Netflix and stand among the best for fans of psychological thrillers with emotional depth. While jump scares and gore are present, they take a backseat to character-driven storytelling and slow-burning dread. Flanagan frequently works with a core ensemble of actors, creating a sense of continuity and familiarity across what fans have come to call the “Flanaverse.”
Watch one, watch them all—just don’t sleep on Mike Flanagan.
With all nine spine-chilling series now uncovered—each one complete, streamable, and packed with unforgettable scares—you’re fully equipped for a summer of no-skip horror binging. From hidden gems to genre-defining classics, these shows prove that the best frights come when you don’t have to wait for the next episode. So dim the lights, grab your favorite blanket, and let the haunting begin.